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Mermaids

  • 1990
  • PG-13
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
39K
YOUR RATING
Christina Ricci, Winona Ryder, Cher, and Bob Hoskins in Mermaids (1990)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:20
2 Videos
75 Photos
Coming-of-AgeTeen ComedyComedyDramaRomance

An unconventional single mother relocates with her two daughters to a small Massachusetts town in 1963, where a number of events and relationships both challenge and strengthen their familia... Read allAn unconventional single mother relocates with her two daughters to a small Massachusetts town in 1963, where a number of events and relationships both challenge and strengthen their familial bonds.An unconventional single mother relocates with her two daughters to a small Massachusetts town in 1963, where a number of events and relationships both challenge and strengthen their familial bonds.

  • Director
    • Richard Benjamin
  • Writers
    • Patty Dann
    • June Roberts
  • Stars
    • Cher
    • Bob Hoskins
    • Winona Ryder
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    39K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Richard Benjamin
    • Writers
      • Patty Dann
      • June Roberts
    • Stars
      • Cher
      • Bob Hoskins
      • Winona Ryder
    • 90User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:20
    Official Trailer
    What Roles Has Winona Ryder Turned Down?
    Clip 3:13
    What Roles Has Winona Ryder Turned Down?
    What Roles Has Winona Ryder Turned Down?
    Clip 3:13
    What Roles Has Winona Ryder Turned Down?

    Photos75

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    Top cast44

    Edit
    Cher
    Cher
    • Mrs. Flax
    Bob Hoskins
    Bob Hoskins
    • Lou Landsky
    Winona Ryder
    Winona Ryder
    • Charlotte Flax
    Michael Schoeffling
    Michael Schoeffling
    • Joe
    Christina Ricci
    Christina Ricci
    • Kate Flax
    Caroline McWilliams
    Caroline McWilliams
    • Carrie
    Jan Miner
    Jan Miner
    • Mother Superior
    Betsy Townsend
    • Mary O'Brien
    Richard McElvain
    Richard McElvain
    • Mr. Crain
    Paula Plum
    Paula Plum
    • Mrs. Crain
    Dossy Peabody
    • Coach Parker
    William Paul Steele
    • Boss in Oklahoma
    Rex Trailer
    • Dr. Reynolds
    Pete Kovner
    • Perfect Family Father
    Patricia Madden
    • Perfect Family Mother
    Justin Marchisio
    • Perfect Family Boy
    Caitlin Marie Bottomley
    • Perfect Family Girl
    Amy Gollnick
    • Girl in Bathroom #1
    • Director
      • Richard Benjamin
    • Writers
      • Patty Dann
      • June Roberts
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews90

    6.738.6K
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    Featured reviews

    8Stay_away_from_the_Metropol

    Winona's finest performance!

    Good stuff.

    Cher plays the realistic slutty single mom who is never really happy and doesn't know how to commit to any man. Bob Hoskins plays the realistic average guy who wants the hot mom but can't quite have her. ChrisTEENY Ricci is one of the most bad ass 5 year olds or however old she is in this. Chugging red wine and holding her head under water for fun. But it's Winona Ryder who really shines through as the troubled 15 year old who is completely focused on 2 things: 1. becoming a nun, and 2. losing her virginity to the cute bus driver who drives her to school.

    The awkward "love story" is quite compelling, as is the believable tension that is constantly erupting within the walls of the family's home. This is probably the greatest performance I have ever seen from Winona. She is intense and emotional throughout and it's extremely genuine feeling.

    A classic chick flick right here! It's got a lot of personality! Very well done!
    7TheAnimalMother

    A Delightful Little Film

    I've seen this film a number of times, and I always enjoy it. What stands out most about this film is the acting, and the overall feel of the film. It feels tremendously authentic to it's time and subjects. The acting is very good throughout, and the movie is just a very fun, and very human story. One that is easy for almost anyone to relate to in some way.

    There are a number of great performances in this film. Winona Ryder plays one of her most interesting characters, and she pulls it off very well. Bob Hoskins is very strong and enjoyable as usual. Personally I have always loved Cher's acting. I can't say I'm a huge fan of her music, but I've always had some respect for her there too. However her acting has always been very strong in my opinion. I know she has been nominated for multiple Oscars and even won one for Moonstruck. However I still think her acting is somewhat underrated by most people. (And she also gave Nick Cage his first huge break after demanding that the studios cast Cage opposite her in Moonstruck. Cage was thought to be somewhat of a risky bet back in those days, and Cher basically made the major studios take the chance with him. Which I find somewhat funny, and also very Cher like.). Cher also had the original director of this film, and the girl who was originally cast in Winona's part fired. So Winona fans also have Cher to thank for her even being in this film. It's hard to criticize Cher for getting rid of these originals either, seeing as how well the film turned out with the people she approved. She is a very strong minded and hearted woman in my view, and if you take a look at Silkwood, Mask, Moonstruck, and this nice little film. You will undoubtedly also see that this woman can flat out act. She has some other decent films as well.

    Anyway, all in all, I highly recommend Mermaids to anyone that likes character driven film. And basically to any teen, male or female. It is basically a coming of age story in terms of Winona's character, and even for Cher and Hoskins characters to some degree too. :) And there is a lot to relate to in terms of the parent/child relationship, especially the single parent. Those with Attention Deficit Disorder , or those who get bored easy may not get into it however. :) I gave this film a 7, but I'm a pretty strict rater, and this film is a very solid 7 in my opinion. In fact, I'd give it a 7.5 if I could.

    7.5/10
    7debterrill

    Delightful coming-of-age film

    I think this is a delightful movie. The period details are fun, Cher is GREAT, and the chemistry between Hoskins, Cher, Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci is excellent. Ryder is especially good at capturing that mixure of idealism, angst and embarrassment which is adolescence.
    9grantss

    Beautiful, funny, moving movie

    A single mother, Mrs Flax (played by Cher), relocates to a small town with her two daughters, Charlotte (Winona Ryder) and Kate (Christina Ricci). We see how their relationship evolves and new relationships are formed.

    Beautiful, funny, moving movie. Tackles a range of issues, and tackles them well. Plus, add in some hilarious one-liners and scenarios and you have a great movie.

    Cher surprises by proving herself a competent actress. Winona Ryder is gorgeous and great as her oldest daughter. I am not usually a fan of precocious kids in movies, but 10-year old Christina Ricci, in her first movie role, is great - adorable, bubbly and funny. Bob Hoskins is his usual solid self.

    Wonderful movie.
    senor_small

    wonderul, cute, sweet comedy/drama, winona's best ever!!

    this film was wonderful!!, i loved winona's and christina ricci's acting in their roles for this film! this film shows the lengths, and the relationship, of how a mother and daughter work out their relationship together! it was funny, tragic, sexy, and works for winona fans. it takes place in 1963/64. vcher is snobby, yet, hysterical in a mean way for this film! bob hoskins is wonderful in this film! he's very talented when he hides his english accent. this movie is foir drama lovers, who love mother/daughter dramas! it seems long, but, is enjoyable if you watch it a number of times! see this movie!! if you love winona!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Source novelist Patty Dann has said of this filmed adaptation: "It was wonderful and a bit overwhelming. I would be sorting socks on the bed and get calls like, Barbra Streisand wants to do the movie, and I'd just say, sure, and then Cher ended up playing the mother. It was a wild experience. I like the movie very much. The first time I saw it without music it had a very different feel, and it took a while to get used to the soundtrack. When I wrote it, I never thought about music in the background, but now I put the music on sometimes when I clean the house."
    • Goofs
      The subtitle "1963" is shown as Charlotte watches Soeur Sourire perform "Dominique" on the 5 January 1964 broadcast of The Ed Sullivan Show (1948).
    • Quotes

      Rachel Flax: Charlotte, I know you're planning a celibate life, but with half my chromosomes, I think that might be tough.

    • Alternate versions
      The versions shown on A&E and Lifetime both have the ending between Cher and Christina Ricci.
    • Connections
      Featured in Cher: The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss) (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      Dominique
      Music by Soeur Sourire

      French lyrics by Soeur Sourire

      English lyrics by Noel Regney

      Performed by Soeur Sourire

      Courtesy of Sullivan Productions, Inc.

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Mermaids?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 14, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sirenas
    • Filming locations
      • North Easton, Massachusetts, USA
    • Production company
      • Orion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $35,419,397
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,514,678
      • Dec 16, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $35,419,397
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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